Exeter prepares for yarn art display to celebrate Women’s Rugby World Cup

The creative talents of crocheters and knitters from across Exeter and Devon are set to be showcased in a display to celebrate the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 coming to Exeter.

The display will feature rugby-themed yarn art, including metres of bunting and Red Roses, celebrating the England Women’s team, known as the Red Roses.

The Yarn Art Display will take place at Exeter’s historic Guildhall and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery in Queen Street, Exeter, from 12.30pm on Wednesday 27 August, when the Lord Mayor of Exeter, Cllr Anne Jobson will cut a ribbon.

The displays are part of the nationwide Red Roses Yarn Art initiative from England Rugby.

The Women’s Rugby World Cup starts on 22 August, with Sandy Park hosting seven games, including an opening game of France v Italy on Saturday 23 August (tickets still available)  and two quarter-finals later on in the tournament. As a result, the city has welcomed players and fans from nine countries as Exeter is put well and truly on the international stage.

Making pieces for the displays started earlier this summer, as crochet enthusiasts were asked to get creative and come up with rugby-inspired pieces.

Among those taking part have been individuals and community groups, including residents from Exeter’s Extra Care Home, Edwards Court.

Caroline, a Media Studies and Journalism lecturer at Exeter College, even made a yarn version of Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, rugby union scrum-half and winger who plays for the England national team and club rugby for Exeter Chiefs Women.

And Holly, a member of the Women’s Institute (WI) in the city, created 32 silk red roses, to represent each player, which will be wrapped round the Guildhall’s pillars.

Even the Lord Mayor Cllr Anne Jobson and her Deputy Cllr Gemma got involved, decorating the Guildhall in advance of the display.

Cllr Duncan Wood, Lead Councillor for Leisure Services & Healthy Living, said it was great to see so many people coming together: “Events like the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 bring communities together. The rugby is exciting but it’s events like the yarn exhibition that bring so many people together, not just rugby fans but those who want to make a difference to the atmosphere and togetherness of the city.”